Time to speak out on language service

People who use the speech, language and communication service in Bedfordshire are being asked for their views on how it meets users’ needs.

The service offers help and treatment to children and young people who have difficulty communicating.

This can be down to issues including forming sounds, words or sentences, understanding what other people say and using language socially.

In Bedfordshire, the responsibility for providing speech and language services falls to Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG), which has commissioned South Essex University Partnership Trust (SEPT) to deliver these services, working in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council and local schools.

Now, two surveys are being launched – one aimed at parents of children using the service, the other for schools – aiming to find out whether the service meets users’ needs, with the results helping health commissioners redesign speech and language services so that they best meet the needs of the local area.

Over the coming months, commissioners will take part in open sessions organised with parent/carer forums to keep users informed about progress and feed back the results of the survey.

They will also be arranging specific focus groups with parents and schools to discuss the service in more detail.

The survey, which begins today (11 September) is being organised jointly by BCCG, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Council.

Councillor Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Social Care and Housing at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “I would urge anyone who uses the service to take part in the survey.

“Your views are vital in helping shape how it looks and meets users’ needs in the future and without your support, resources may not be best directed to meet local needs.”

>To give your views and get involved in the consultation, fill out the survey at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations